me & mine | february

"Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you got" ~ Benjamin Hoff

This project of getting in the picture at least once a month with my littles really helps bring me back to focus on what is important. If you don't know what the project is about you can read about it and check put last months images here. I have been incredibly crabby lately and I do not know why and I can not shake it. I am just walking around with a furrowed brow snapping at every little thing the kids do. When I look at these images and see these little faces I remember who and what is important and hopefully I can snap out of my funk soon. I cannot believe a month has gone by already...where does the time go?  I love these first few shots of the kids, so real and so them! Leah, of course, was instigating the sillies. Always the show off, the clown and she is sure to be the life of the party. Jordan, the rule follower,  usually can't resist her charms... I love that! They are the perfect team. WE are a perfect team. 

Next up is my sweet friend Suzanne Carey Hattiesburg, MS Photographer and please be sure to check out the rest of the ladies in this circle, they really are incredible. 

me and mine

It feels like it has been forever since I have posted any pictures. Over the past couple of weeks I have come to realize that I have made a big mistake by only being involved with this project this year.  This is only the second time this month I am posting any images. Papa is not very happy with me...yikes!!! I need to make an effort to get involved somewhere again.

I am thrilled to announce that I am back together with most of the ladies from last years group to capture "me and mine". Yeah!!! For those of you who don't know It is a project focused on getting "me and mine" in pictures together at least once a month. For me it is not about capturing perfection it is about capturing the everyday.  No "perfect hair", no waiting until I have the "right" outfits or I am the "right" weight, just me and mine now, as we are everyday. Because honestly you just never know and I think you should enjoy it while you can. I am determined to make this fun and stress free even if that means my images end up out of focus, over exposed and wild and crazy. Because honestly...most of the time, in this house, we are all of these things. Especially wild and crazy. I am going to try not to stress out about this like I did last year. So here goes nothing...

Also, please continue the circle and visit the talented Hope Toliver, her images are stunning!

project 26 | me and mine

Originally for my last me and mine post of the year, I envisioned a picture of all three of us together so I tried to set up the remote to get a picture of us together. However someone, who will remain nameless, had other plans.  While I was happily smiling and clicking away on the remote someone else was happily picking their nose in all of those shots. Lovely. I threatened to post them here but they just giggled and didn't seem to mind. Instead of going through the whole fiasco again I asked each of the kids to take a picture of me with the other. Leah only got pictures of the floor and the ceiling but Jordan rocked the Lensbaby and took this little treasure.

Please be sure to go through the circle and check out all the ladies posts. Next up is the inspiring Ginger Unzueta | Central Florida Natural Light Photographer, her images are light filled and gorgeous!

project 26 | me and mine (struggle)

Leah loves clothes and is terribly picky about what she will wear. She and I  are in a constant struggle over the clothes all over her floor and stuffed in drawers. From the moment she could dress herself she started changing at least (at the very least) four times a day. I can only imagine what she will be like in her teenage years...yikes! It is not uncommon for her to be playing outside, stop what she is doing, tell me she will be right back and then when she comes back she is wearing a different outfit. I have to admit the whole process of her getting dressed to go anywhere makes me a little crazy and after showing her four or five shirts to choose from I often times find myself telling her that I give up and to figure it out herself. 

Next up be sure to check out one amazing Mama and fabulous photographer, Carey Pace | Tennessee Lifestyle Photographer

P.S.  If any of my photog friends are looking for an amazing unconventional online photography school experience you should really check out the classes at Define School. I promise you will not be disappointed.

project 26 | me and mine (strength)

project 26 | me and mine

The littles did not want to be in pictures. I was lucky they sat on the stoop and stayed in the frame. My awesome husband took these quick snaps for me. These are real, silly and a very telling indication of what our daily life is like around here, just plain old crazy...but in a very good way. 

Next up be sure to check out the lovely Carey Pace | Tennessee Lifestyle Photographer

project 26 | me and mine (through the window)

I had an idea in my mind of how I wanted these to look and I was actually going to take them "through the window" but they did not turn out as planned. I was getting too much glare. I think next time I will have to try on a cloudy day. I realize they are not exactly through the window but I love them all the same. 

When I was writing this post I remembered some fun pictures I took of the kids after our trip to the zoo. They are not nearly as "pretty" as the first two but they help to paint part of our picture and illustrate daily life around here. I painted a shark face on Jordan. Leah, the independent firecracker that she is, painted her own face... a Daddy face complete with a mustache and beard!! I love these two beyond measure. 

Follow the circle and see what the rest of the ladies  have in store for us this week. Next up be sure to check out Carey Pace | Tennessee Lifestyle Photographer I love her work and I am sure you will too! Thank goodness for her this week too because she reminded me to pull out my camera for the theme.

project 26 | me and mine (july)

Follow the circle and see what the rest of the ladies  have in store for us this week. Next up, the lovely Carey Pace | Tennessee Lifestyle Photographer

project 26 | me and mine (summer nights)

One of the kids favorite things to do after dinner is get on their jammies and go for a little walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes we go to the park for a few minutes but most times we just stroll and look for fun things like cool leaves, rocks or sticks. The fun is being outside in jammies and going on an adventure through our own neighborhood. 

Please follow our circle and see what the rest of the wonderful photographers have in store for us this week. Next up, the always inspirational  Carey Pace | Tennessee Lifestyle Photographer

project 26 | me and mine (june)

I really cherish the few pictures I have of my mom and I together from when I was a kid. I want my kids to have pictures of us together.  I want them to remember me, I want them to remember us together. I want pictures of all the time we spend together.

As part of this project, at least once a month I try to make sure to get in at least one shot with them. It doesn't have to be perfect. In fact I know most times it won't be and that is ok. I know I will most likely be wearing a baseball cap or my hair in a ponytail. I know 9 times out of 10 I will remember the day before this post is to go up so I will be wearing jammies and a tank top and that is ok too because that is real. As long as it is me and at least one of my kids in a picture.

Seconds before I snapped this shot Jordan said to me, "It is so nice spending time alone with you Mom, just you and me and no one else." I knew we were happy there just cuddling on the porch together but I had no idea that we had these huge smiles on our faces until I pulled this image up on my screen. Just me and my boy. For me, in part, this is what it is all about. This was one of those fleeting moments that I want to hold on to forever. Now thanks to this picture, in some small way, I can go back there when ever I want.

Follow our circle and see what the rest of the wonderful photographers have in store for us this week. Next up, the amazing Gail Pomare | San Jose and Santa Cruz Lifestyle Photographer I am sure it will be awesome.

project 26 | displays

I had another post in mind entirely then late on Wednesday I was witness to the most amazing displays of trust and courage by my "bigger" girl. Please don't make the mistake of calling her a baby...believe me it will break her heart.

She finally trusted my husband enough that she allowed him to let go of her in the pool and she LOVED it! Just like we knew she would. I am so glad he gave her the push that she needed because I don't think I would have done it so quickly. Bravo Dad!

Now I have two fish this summer which is awesome! Jordan said she is a fish and he is a great white shark because he goes off the diving board. If I know her she will not be too far behind.

Next up is the talented Gail Pomare | San Jose and Santa Cruz Lifestyle Photographer.

project 26 | me and mine (may)

Nothing like waiting until the last minute...again. Arrgh, one of these days I will get my act together. No one wanted to cooperate and take any pics with me but my sweet boy was cool with messing around with the iPad camera. 

If you are wondering about Jordan's face, we went to a birthday earlier in the day and he had his face painted as Wolverine. 

Next up is the talented Gail Pomare | San Jose and Santa Cruz Lifestyle Photographer.

project 26 | me and mine

Next up is the talented Gail Pomare | San Jose and Santa Cruz Lifestyle Photographer.

glimpses week 16

Just one of my sweethearts showing off her sweet smile in some sweet window light.

check out the glimpses | 52 project at the chic critique forum 

project 26 | tablescape

I am so excited, I have been asked to join a project 26 with a group of incredibly talented woman from across the United States. This 26 week project will consist of two blog posts each month, one will be a “me & mine” post and the second will be a challenge or theme photo.

This week’s theme is: tablescapes. When I first think of a tablescape I think of a table straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine. Gorgoeous and styled down to every last detail. My own table does not fit that bill...ever. The table is set just before dinner and even then it is set with mismatched plastic cups, a rainbow of IKEA plates and paper napkins. Eye candy? No way.

I had to go a different route since I did not want to bail out on posting in my first week with the group. On Tuesdays I have a hot date with one of my favorite guys at one of the best tables in town. Every week when I drop Leah off at dance class Jordan and I walk next door and get a tasty treat. I always indulge in a medium French Vanilla with extra cream, extra sugar. He has such nice manners that much to his delight, the cashier always gives him a few extra munchkins in his bag.

We always have an extra guest at our table. Today it was a stormtrooper... I think. When Jordan saw my camera out he asked me to take his picture. I showed him the picture and he did not like it so he moved this guys head and asked me take it again. After the change he said it was perfect.

Next up is the talented Gail Pomare | San Jose and Santa Cruz Lifestyle Photographer.